“If you don’t two-step with her, son, I sure as hell will,” Big Tex cried as he got out of the car, he waited for us both to get out and led the way across the parking lot. Neither of us had a chance to respond before Big Tex grabbed his hat, tipped it, tilted his chin towards the sky and offered the whole place a very loud, “Yeehaw!”
When Drew turned to me, he rolled his eyes playfully and reached for my hand. “Here’s to us, darlin’,” he said quietly, tugging me to his side.
I was giddy as we made our way to the front. There was a long line of people waiting to get in, but as with most things, the rules were never the same for Drew Tucker, and he and Tex somehow managed to get us expedited inside with a few extra smiles from the bouncers as they greeted Tex with a warmth that came with familiarity.
Excitement bubbled inside of me as we entered. Darkness enveloped us at the same time as Brooks and Dunn’sNeon Moonswept over us. My smile grew, my heart pounded, and then the subtle lights of the large open space illuminated everything. The dance floor was a wide oval that surrounded a bar, and on the stage was a band setting up to play.
Tex guided us through the crowd that was packed into the ample space, everyone inside almost shoulder-to-shoulder. There were smaller bars set up in random spots. The floor was littered with napkins, which seemed really odd until I saw a server toss a stack into the air with a joy-filled laugh asshe flirted with one of the security guys floating around the place. The people packing in around them let out a small cheer before going back to their conversations.
The place went on forever. As we finally made it to an area with a bit more breathing room, we stepped up into an elevated section tucked into the back that was filled with well-occupied pool tables. I also saw the mechanical bull to our right, and I couldn’t help my smile as a small blonde took her eight seconds like a boss, only to fall right off when she raised her arms in triumph.
The whole club reminded me of the Houston club Gilley’s from the movieUrban Cowboy. I’d watched that movie on repeat as a kid because that was where my parents had met. I’d had this crazy dream of going there when I was old enough, but the place had burned down a year after I’d been born… something that had made my six-year-old heart break. Now I watched the movie on my parents’ anniversary as my way of keeping them, and their story alive.
I turned to look at Drew, more than aware that he’d been watching me take in my surroundings, and I gave him a huge smile.
“You really do pay attention, don’t you?” I shouted over the song that was playing.
“You’re not always as subtle as you think you are.”
“No,” I said, stepping closer and giving him a look I knew he would translate easily. “I think you’re better at reading me than I realize. There’s no way you could have known about this.”
The look he gave me spoke of nothing but love and seduction. “I guess you’re the first person I’ve ever really wanted to listen to when they talk. Falling asleep togethermost nights, the shit we say.” He blew his cheeks out and released the air in one long stream. “I like it. I like you. I like the way we are together.”
I’d smiled so much since we’d arrived in Dallas that my cheeks were beginning to hurt. This moment between us, though—this meant more than I think even he could appreciate. I could feel my love for him growing inside my chest like a living being. It took me over, and everything else just faded to black. For one brief second, I was breathless because I knew that no matter what this man asked of me, I would do it. No questions asked. I knew I would never love anyone else the way I loved him, and all I could do was embrace it.
“Love isn’t a big enough word for the way I feel about you,” I declared, not really caring who heard me.
“Show me when you fuck me later.” He grinned.
“You bet your ass I will.”
Drew led me to one of the round bars and ordered our drinks, while I glanced around for our gracious guide. Big Tex must have wandered away from us as we’d been talking amongst ourselves. I eventually found him on one of the elevated seating areas, talking to a couple of the security guys like he belonged there. He seemed perfectly content, so I turned my attention back to the sensory overload that was the club, watching the napkins fly and the dancers spin in familiar steps, my own feet tapping to the beats now flowing from the speakers.
I welcomed the beer Drew handed me, and I ignored the looks he was receiving from every group of women who moved around the area. They seemed to circle like vultures, flying closer and closer with each pass, their eyes heated andtheir chest expanding with every breath they took. If Drew noticed them, he didn’t let it show. His eyes were on me, taking in my reactions and responses to everything going on around us.
Planting an arm around my shoulder, he leaned into me and tipped his beer into his mouth just as the band flared to life in front of us. The strobe lights lit up the area, showing every enlivened body currently on the dance floor. More napkins were thrown in the air, and we watched as they fluttered down onto the people before eventually falling to the floor. Within seconds, the band had introduced themselves, and the whole vibe of the club changed.
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboywas the perfect song to get the Saturday night party started.
“Y’all ready for this?” Big Tex shouted over the music as he leaned into us. He pointed to the stage, his eyes alive with experience and knowledge. Tex knew the place, that much was clear, and he was excited to be the one to introduce us to this impressive hideaway.
“I’m ready if she’s ready,” Drew called back, tightening his arm around me.
“You need me to show her how it’s done?” Tex asked.
“Only if you can keep your hands to yourself while dancing, sir,” Drew mocked.
“If I wasn’t such a gent, I’d kick your ass for implying I would treat a lady any other way than a lady.”
Drew laughed—a laugh so free and almost youthful, it made my chest ache with happiness. “I trust you, Big Tex. Just be careful with her. She’s precious to me.”
Before I was really aware of what was happening, Drew was grabbing my beer from my hand, and Big Tex had myother hand in his, pulling me close, so he was two-stepping me toward the dance floor that was flowing like molten lava. The moment we stepped into the mix, he started leading us. Tex counted me in when I got lost, and in three beats we were in sync. He was spinning me, some of the moves he pushed me so far out, it was only our fingertips brushing together before he changed direction and swung me to the other side. He was always above board with his hands. One rested high on my waist, the other holding my hand gently but firmly enough to let me know where he was going.
We moved with the flow of the dance floor, weaving in and out of other dancers, sometimes dipping under their arms to avoid a collision. When the song came to a close, the moving crowd slowed until the opening fiddle ofThe Devil Went Down to Georgiastarted. Big Tex moved our grip to our shoulders and changed the dance in a three-step twist. He led us as best he could and talked me through the rest with ease. It was a more spirited dance, a higher tempo with more fancy footwork that had me counting in my head and messing up.
By the time we made it to the end of that song, Big Tex was puffing for breath, and his hair was damp around the edge of his hat.
“Ready for a break?” I asked, making a motion for a drink. I made out I was the one tired because I had a feeling he wouldn’t give up until I did. Big Tex had his gentleman genes down to a fine art.